Valued items

There's nothing like a pandemic to help a society sort out what it really values in life. In the case of Belgium, that turns out to be french fries. People are generally allowed to go out to buy groceries. They can visit the doctor and the pharmacy. But, beyond that, what’s considered essential varies from country to country, and many have allowed culturally flavoured exceptions.

Belgians can still get their fries - In Belgium, people can still buy tasty, oil-fried potato slivers from the iconic sidewalk stands, the friteries. Belgians, at least, think these fries are the best in the world. Shut down Belgium’s fries stands, apparently, and shut down the soul of the nation. Leaders have avoided dealing such a grievous blow, even as they.

The French can still get their wine - France shut down most commerce on Monday. But the government published about 40 categories of exceptions. The country will not have to do without its wine stores. And small-food-shop life can keep going, as bakeries, butchers, tobacco shops and fine grocers may remain open.

Several wine shops, instead of opening to the public, are offering delivery of “survival wine packs” of six or 12 bottles of wine. The French lockdown will last until at least April 16.

The Dutch can still buy marijuana - In the Netherlands, leaders have declared cannabis a coronavirus-era priority. The decision may help ease anxieties in a pandemic-stricken nation.

Officials are allowing the coffee shops to open their to-go counters. Customers can’t light up in the shops anymore, though, in a nod to social distancing.

The Germans can still rent and buy bikes - In Germany, life is less locked down than elsewhere in Europe, and each German state can decide for itself what will remain open and what will close. But bike shops have been singled out by national and some state authorities as essential assets. German Health Minister Jens Spahn encouraged Germans to get around by bike as a healthy, social-distancing-appropriate mode of transportation, in preference to trains and buses.

Italians can still read print newspapers - Italy remains the European country hardest hit by the coronavirus, and there are few exceptions to its near-total shutdown. But newsstands remain open, a quaint and sweet measure that allows older residents a chance to read the papers.